Empowering Digital Citizenship for All: A Reflection on the “Let’s Act Now!” Forum in Strasbourg of Council of Europe.

Empowering Digital Citizens: Reflections from the “Let’s Act Now!” Forum in Strasbourg
By Zoi Anastasopoyloy, Founder & CEO, AI AZ DATA DEVELOPMENT

It was a great honour to participate in the “Let’s Act Now!” Forum on Digital Citizenship Education, held in Strasbourg on 27–28 May 2025, as part of the European Year of Digital Citizenship Education. As the founder of AI AZ DATA DEVELOPMENT, I was proud to contribute to this vital conversation shaping the digital future of Europe.

Organised under the auspices of the Council of Europe, the Forum served as a milestone moment — not only to celebrate achievements but also to co-create the 2027–2031 Roadmap for Digital Citizenship Education. This initiative aims to build more inclusive, ethical, and empowering digital spaces, and I am grateful to have shared ideas with some of the most dedicated minds in the field.

Highlights of My Participation

I had the privilege to contribute to two important sessions over the two days:

🔹 Day 1 – Plenary and Forum Talk 3
Topic: Platforms and citizenship: what technology companies are doing to promote digital civility and democratic culture.
We explored the role of tech innovators in fostering respectful, responsible, and active digital citizenship. At AI AZ DATA DEVELOPMENT, we’re committed to building ethical data ecosystems that enhance trust and transparency — and I shared how our work contributes to a digital culture grounded in accountability and inclusion.

🔹 Day 2 – Plenary and Forum Talk 8
Topic: Promoting inclusive and accessible digital communities: vulnerable groups, people with disabilities.
This session was deeply meaningful. True digital citizenship must be accessible to all, and I was inspired by the community-driven solutions showcased to bridge the digital divide. Inclusion is not optional — it’s the foundation of a just digital future.

Collaboration, Insight, and Innovation

The Forum brought together a vibrant mix of policymakers, educators, researchers, and private sector leaders, offering diverse perspectives and visionary approaches. It was especially enriching to engage with keynote speakers and moderators including:

Mevan Babakar (Google), Tanja Gonggrijp (Kingdom of the Netherlands), Pap Ndiaye (France), and Marja Ruotanen (Council of Europe) during the opening session.
Insightful moderators like Irina Burlacu, Joe Cozens, Catherine Jeanneau, and Eszter Salamon, who masterfully guided complex conversations.
Inspiring speakers including Sarah Keating, Dr. Anahit Parzyan, Aristidis Protopsaltis, Iva Tsolova-Kutsarova, Tito de Morais, Joanne Caddy, Vladimir Kitanovski, and many others — each contributing unique solutions to empower citizens in the digital age.

A special thanks to Dragana Babić, CEO of KIBERone Banja Luka, for her continued support and friendship, and to the remarkable Reda Cimmperman, Ombudsperson for Academic Ethics and Procedures — it was a pleasure connecting with you.

Looking Ahead

The “Let’s Act Now!” Forum was more than a conference — it was a call to action. As we continue into the European Year of Digital Citizenship Education, the ideas and partnerships born in Strasbourg will guide the creation of more resilient, responsible, and inclusive digital societies.

At AI AZ DATA DEVELOPMENT, we remain committed to developing solutions that align with these values — ensuring technology is not just powerful, but ethical, inclusive, and human-centered.

Let’s continue to #LearnConnectEngageThrive together.
#DigitalCitizenshipEducation

👉 Learn more about the Forum: https://lnkd.in/guxXk_3c
👉 Visit us: https://aiazdata.com